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Developer claims Gehry could return to troubled King Alfred scheme

Developer claims Gehry could return to troubled King Alfred scheme

Karis, the developer behind the King Alfred scheme in Hove, has claimed that Frank Gehry could be tempted back on to the project.

The news comes less than 24 hours after it was revealed that Dutch bank ING has pulled out of funding the mixed-use development.

Despite confirming earlier this month that Gehry had walked away from the scheme, Karis managing director Josh Arghiros was adamant that the world-famous architect could return to the scheme, even though he had not spoken to Gehry since January.

Arghiros told the AJ: 'I think Frank would appreciate having the chance to go back to the scheme and tweak it the way he would want it to be.

'Frank likes to keep working on his projects even after planning is approved, and that is what he found difficult with the planning system over here.

'Frank and I are friends and I have no reason to doubt that he wouldn't take my call.'

Speaking about ING pulling out of the scheme, Arghiros said it was 'totally understandable considering the economic climate'.

He added: 'We are now having discussions with the council and other investors who could buy into Karis Holdings, about how to move forward.'

It is the latest in a long line of bad news for Karis which has been accused of breaching its Section 106 agreements after admitting Gerhy had washed his hands of the scheme (AJ online 25.07.08).


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Reader Response

Added: Thursday, 31 July 2008 06:10 BST
Valerie Paynter, Hove, United Kingdom

The s106 Agreement Clause 20.1 states clearly "the Developer hereby agrees that it will use reasonable endeavours to retain Gehry Partners LLP andHOK as project architects...." with only fee, instructions and bad behaviour issues allow Karis to get out of it. Just after 5pm, Tuesday 29th July, on BBC Southern Counties Radio Mr. Arghiros said HOK took over from Gehry when planning consent was obtained. So much for the s106 Agreement.

The Development Agreement with Brighton & Hove City Council, at 21.2 states: "If the Developer intends at any time to terminate the appointment of Gehry Partners LLP as Architects in respect of the Development (or if Gehry Partners LLP shall at any time seek to terminate their appointment) the Developer shall first inform and consult with the Council and shall take account of the reasonable representations of the Council in respect of such intendeed termination and/or in respect of any alternative appointment."

The Council confirmed to me in mid-July that this had not been done.

ING are signatories to The Development Agreement both in their own right and as Karis partners so they are implicated in the breach of that. Was the departure of ING just about the credit crunch? When was ING told about Gehry's departure?

The Section 37 Default clause could and should be invoked in the public interest and this whole project terminated now.


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